Water wisdom
1. World Water Day was observed this year on March 22.
2. Its broader aim was to raise awareness on the importance of freshwater and advocate for its sustainable management.
3. There was a recognition of the importance of water in handwashing and personal hygiene practices.
4. The theme for the event this year was “Water and Climate Change”.
5. This reflected the desire of policymakers to address the impact of climate change on the water sector.
Water and Climate change
1. Climate change and water are inextricably linked.
2. Water is the primary medium for climate change impacts to trickle down to the community and individual levels through reduced predictability of water availability.
3. Growing populations and their demand for water increase the need for energy-intensive water pumping, transportation, and treatment.
4. It contributes to the degradation of critical water-dependent carbon sinks such as peatlands.
5. Due to climate change, water cycles experience significant change that reflects in water availability and quality.
6. A warmer climate causes more water to evaporate from both land and oceans, in turn, a warmer atmosphere can hold more water, roughly 4% more water for every 1ºF rise in temperature.
Extreme weather events
1. These changes are expected to increase precipitation and run-off (flooding) in certain areas and less precipitation and a longer and more severe scarcity of water (droughts) in other areas.
2. So, wet areas are expected to become wetter and dry areas drier.
3. This influences almost all aspects of the economy including drinking water, sanitation, health, food production, energy generation, industrial manufacturing, and environmental sustainability and ultimately the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
4. In coastal areas when more freshwater is removed from rivers and aquifers, saltwater will move farther upstream into the river mouth and the aquifer. This will put pressure on the limited freshwater available on the coast, forcing water managers to seek costly alternatives like desalination plants.
5. Water is a common pool natural resource that sustains ecosystems, biodiversity, food security, economies, and society. So, judicious use with balancing multiple water needs is significant.
6. In developing countries like India, a large population depends on climate-sensitive sectors like agriculture, fisheries and forestry for its livelihoods.
Mitigation strategies
1. India has come up with climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies and appropriate policy measures. National Action Plan on Climate Change is being implemented through 8 National Missions, including the Water Mission.
2. But effective policies need the support of the local governments, corporates and NGOs.
3. Water resources planning must be given due consideration while dealing with climate impacts.
4. Tanks and ponds can store and recharge the excess rainwater to the aquifer. Their rejuvenation (desilting) facilitates flood and drought management.
5. The following ideas should be generated and inculcated in each citizen.
a. More public awareness on the need for climate-resilient actions,
b. protecting carbon sinks like oceans, wetlands, peatlands, and mangroves,
c, adopting climate-smart agricultural techniques, rainwater harvesting, waste-water reuse, and
d. judicious use of water
Source: The Hindu
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